Automatic float tank-cock



UNITED STATES PATENT GFFICE.

ALBERT P. HQWVES, OE WORCESTER, MASSACHUSETTS.

AUTOMATIC FLOAT TAN K-COCK.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 402,596, dated May '7, 1889.

Application filed July 5, 1888. Serial No. 279,007. (No model.)

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, ALBERT P. HOWES, a citizen of the United States, residing at Worcester, in the county of Worcester and State of Massachusetts, have invented certain new and useful Improvementsin Automatic Float Tank-Cocks, of which the following, together with the accompanying drawings, is a specification sufficiently full, clear, and exact to enable persons skilled in the art to which this invent-ion appertains' to make and use the same.

The object of my present invention is to provide an automatic float-valve that will be efficient and quiet in its action, which can be manufactured with economy and practical facility, and in which the valve-puppet is sufficiently loose and free to be self-adjusting to its seat, while-it is protected from being forced out of position by the flow of water through the cock; also, .to connect the valve-puppet and float-lever head in a manner that will insure the action of the valve without liability of cramping or binding at the connectingjoint. These objects I attain by mechanism. constructed as illustrated and described.

In the drawings, Figure 1 is a vertical sectional view illustrating my invention. Fig. 2 is a horizontal section atline w w on Fig. 1. Fig. 3 is a top plan View of the float-lever head; and Fig. 4 is a vertical section at line so 00, Fig. 1, showing the valve opened.

In referring to parts,A denotes the shell or body, which is formed with an internal chamber, a, of suitable dimension to receive the valve mechanism, and with an attaching-nipple, A, through which the inlet-passage leads to the chamber a, andwith a delivering-tub e, A through which the liquid is discharged when the valve is opened. A raised annular valve-seat, e, is formedwithin the chamber a about the exit-passage, and a second seat, f, or flat annular surface is formed around said valve-seat e.

The valvepuppet B is-made in the form shown, and is disposed within the cock to' close onto the seat 6 in the direction of the disch. rge-pressure. Said puppet is provided with an upward extension that carries an annular flange or disk, I), and with a dependent stem, B, that extends down through the exitpassage to a position somewhat below the end of the-delivery-tube A Arranged within the chamber a, and inclosing the puppet B, is a cylinder or thimble, C, the lower open end of which rests upon and forms a close joint with the annular seatingsurface f around the valve-seat 6, while its .upper end is closed, so as to form a chamber, 0, above the puppet and disk 1). Small holes 1' are formed through the cylinder 0 below the position of the disk I). The cylinder 0 fits comparatively close, but not tightly, about the disk Z), so that the valve puppet will be confined in proper relation to its seat e, while free to adj u st itself thereon as the valve closes.

The top of the body-shell is closed by a screw-cap, A the flanges d of which loosely confine the top of the cylinder, while a space, D, of about one-eighth inch (more or less) is left between the cap and cylinder, to permit of said cylinder 0 being lifted from-its seat f by the puppet-head at the latter portion of its upward range of movement. A lug, Z, is provided to prevent displacement of the cylinder by the force of the liquid flowing into the chamber A at the inletpassage. The lower end of the valve-stem B is furnished with a rounded point at I and with an annular flange, J, as illustrated.

H denotes the lever for operating the valvepuppet under control of the ball or float F. Said lever is fulcrumed at h to an arm or arms, G, projecting from the shell or body A, and is preferably formed or provided with a hub or socket, H, into which the arm F, that carries the ball, is fixed or screwed. The head of the lever is formed with a step or surface, I, upon which the point I of the valve-stem engages, and with lugs or projections m m, that overhang the flange J, as illustrated; also with a shoulder at n, which prevents the flange J from escaping frombeneath the overhanging ends m m. Sufficient space is provided between the flange J and ends on to allow great freedom of action and to permit of the valve automatically lifting from its seat e to relieve any vacuum or back-pressure or to admit air to the pipes when the water-supply is shut off.

The peculiar form of the lever-head, with its hooks m, is such that itcan behooked onto the valve-stem flange J before the lever is placed in position and the fulcrum-stud h introduced; but when the parts are put together and the stud 7L fitted in the lever and stem are loosely but securely interlocked with each other.

I11 Fig. 1, T indicates a portion of the tank, and \V the water-level in said tank.

In the operation, when the waterin the tank is drawn down, the float F falls and the head of the lever II is raised, and the surface I, pressing against the point I of the stem B, forces up the valve-puppet B from its seat 6 and allows the liquid to escape through the exitpassage. Assuming that the fall of the float is suflieient, the cylinder C is also lifted from its seatf, (see Fig. l,) allowing the liquid to pass beneath its lower end to the discharge. Then as the float F rises with the water-level the valve-puppet l3 and cylinder C descend gradually, the cylinder reaching its seat fbefore the valve 13 reaches its seat, therebyeutting off the flow of water, except such as passes through the holes 2 and reducing the pressure on the puppet D to an extent that will give easy and quiet closing action to the valve. If the valve for any reason fails to close upon its seat, the lifting of the ball or float F above its normal level will cause the projections in to press downward upon the top of the flange J, and thus force the puppet to close the passage.

.The valve-puppet l3,having the disk I) and the cylinder C arranged within the cock, as illustrated, can be employed with an operating float-lever that is connected to the valvestem otherwise than herein shown, equivalent action of the valve being effected. I prefer,

however, to connect the lever and stem as herein illustrated.

In my previous application, Serial No. 254,353, I have described a faucet wherein a puppet-valve surrounded by an inverted cup is employed. It will therefore be understood that I do not in my present application broadly claim such feature of construction.

lVhatIelaim as of my invention, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is

1. The combination, substantially as described, of the shell A, provided with the arm (or arms) G and valve-seat e, the valve 13, arranged to close onto said seat and having its depending stem provided with the flange J and rounded point I, the operating-lever II, provided with the step surface I, overhanging ends on, and shoulder a, and the fulcrumpin it, connecting said lever to the arm G, for the purposes set forth.

2. In combination, substantially as described, the body-shell A, having the internal chamber, a, with inlet and outlet passages, valve-seats e and f, and screw-cap A, the puppet-valve 15, having the disk I) and dependentstem B, provided with flange J and point I, the lifting-lever I I, fulcrumed at h to the body-arm G, and engaging the point and flange of said valve-spindle, and the buoyant float F, all constructed and arranged for operating as and for the purpose set forth.

\Vitness my hand this 2d day of July, A. D. 1388.

AI. iERT P. IIOIVES.

\Vitnesses:

CHAS. II. BURLEIGH, ELLA P. BLENUs. 

